Jason Gay: The NBA Is Back. Pay Attention!

Here are Five Storylines to Make You NBA-ready

The 2013-14 NBA basketball season starts Tuesday, so it's time to commence the predictable groaning: Who pays attention to NBA basketball in October? The regular season stretches five and half years; the playoffs take longer than junior high school; the first quarter is tedious; the second quarter is somnolent; the third quarter is your joke here.

I know you think busy people don't have time for NBA openers. Halloween is Thursday; you're still trying to decide between Zombie A-Rod Lawyer and Zombie Bill Belichick, and of...